How to Thrive In a Male-Dominated Industry with Interior Designer, Karen Asprea

A really incredible aspect of our careers as estheticians is that we get to work with cool, hilarious women that we often become friends with. But because our relationship begins as a professional one where we are in our element, we oftentimes don’t get to see them in THEIR element. My favorite part of our podcast Is learning more about our friends and being able to say, “dang you’re bad bitch!”. Today’s interview with our friend, interior designer Karen Asprea is so much fun for that exact reason! Karen specializes in turn-key services for private homes, design for luxury condominium developments, and commercial spaces. She has worked alongside famed architects such as SOM and ODA, and her client list includes the industry’s top development firms that demand the highest level of quality and attention to detail. Not to mention a few celebrities. By age 28, Karen was managing partner and director of interior design at one of New York’s busiest architecture and design firms and lead her team to design and coordinate over five million square feet of new residential development before creating her own design studio, Karen Asprea Studio. Like I said, bad bitch! Sidebar: that this is actually our second time interviewing Karen. During our first interview, we had such an incredible conversation about Robert Moses, social equity, the future of public spaces, and livable art. Unfortunately, THAT interview didn’t record correctly (sorry guys!). However, she was so kind and generous with her time and agreed to spend another hour with us! So this time we chatted about her childhood in Brooklyn, how being a first-generation Italian-American shaped her view of the world, and most importantly the inequities of women and men within male dominated industries – specifically, construction and architecture. Industries in which she is a woman amongst men at the top of her field. Also, Karen is hilarious, so this was SUCH a fun conversation! For more information about Karen, check out her Instagram @karenapreastudio as well as her website karenasprea.com. Don’t forget to check us out at truebeautybrooklynpodcast.com to learn more about Alix and I, and the podcast. Visit truebeautybrooklyn.com to learn more about our beauty studio in Williamsburg! Don’t forget to follow us on instagram @truebeautybrooklynpodcast or @truebeautybrooklyn. If you live locally, come hang with Alix and me by making an appointment at truebeautybrooklyn.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices